Latest news with #NZHealth
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- Health
- NZ Herald
Over 100 nurses and supporters rally outside Gisborne Hospital for nationwide strike
'We are just going to be playing hardball back,' said Warrander. She said the main concerns for nurses across the country were patient safety and staffing levels. About 36,000 NZ Health nurses, midwives, health care assistants and kaimahi hauora across the country began their strike at 9am Wednesday, and will continue striking until 9am Thursday. Gisborne Hospital nurses, striking for 24 hours with their nationwide colleagues, present their concerns about unsafe staffing levels to the public outside the hospital on Wednesday. Photo / Wynsley Wrigley A Health NZ statement said the organisation 'takes responsibility for operational and patient safety decisions seriously as we are accountable for the safety of patients who access our services'. Warrander said many of this year's nursing graduates had not been employed by Health NZ, other nurses were not being replaced as they left, nurses on sick leave were not being covered, and Health NZ was trying to cut down on overtime. 'That makes it very difficult and scary. Our patients are not getting the care they deserve,' she said. 'If you get a sick patient at the end of your shift, you just can't walk out.' Warrander said staffing was not just a numbers issue as there was also a skills mix as younger nurses 'were not up to speed yet'. She said Health NZ was not committing to Care Capacity Demand Management, which calculated the number of nurses required based on patient needs and acuity. Nurses wanted a nurse-patient ratio to be set. Health NZ offered a 3% pay rise over 27 months, plus two lump sum payments of $325. NZNO seeks a 5% pay rise over two years, along with $2000 flat rate increases for senior positions. The union also seeks to restore a tikanga Māori allowance. Warrander believes Health NZ's wage offer did not match the cost of living and disputed Health NZ's claim that the average registered nurse makes $125,000 annually. Health Minister Simeon Brown's office had earlier supplied the NZ Herald figures from Health NZ showing an average registered nurse earns $125,662 when including allowances, super payments and overtime. Warrander said a nurse would have to work long hours, work fulltime, earn all possible penal rates and be on the Professional Development and Recognition Programme to earn that much. In a statement, Health NZ said its offer to NZNO was 'a fair one'. 'We value the hard work and dedication of our nursing staff and we are disappointed that NZNO is taking strike action when there is a fair offer on the table.' Nurses intend to picket again outside Gisborne Hospital on Thursday before their 24-hour strike ends at 9am.
RNZ News
14-06-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Cabinet approves 'suite of amendments' to Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act
Simeon Brown Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER Minister of Health Simeon Brown has announced the government will be introducing legislation to ensure the health system is focused on delivering better outcomes for patients. He said Cabinet had approved a suite of amendments to the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022. "These changes are about improving health outcomes by making sure the system is focused on delivery, not bogged down in doing the same thing twice. That means better care for patients through a more connected, transparent, and effective health system," Brown said. "We're putting health targets into law so every part of the system is focused on delivering faster care, shorter wait times, higher immunisation rates, and real results." Brown said that infrastructure delivery was "one of the most serious failings under the previous government". "Too many builds were delayed, blown out, or never even started. We're addressing this by establishing a dedicated infrastructure committee and embedding infrastructure as a core function of Health New Zealand. This means the board can focus on lifting system performance where it matters most: for patients." Brown said the legislation would also strengthen the Hauora Māori Advisory Committee (HMAC) and clarify the role of iwi-Māori Partnership Boards (IMPBs). "Local IMPBs will continue to engage with their communities but will now provide advice directly to HMAC. That advice will then support decisions made by the minister and the Health New Zealand board. "These changes are about one thing - putting patients back at the centre. We're rebuilding a health system that delivers real outcomes, not just organisational charts." The list of changes included: The amendment bill would be introduced to Parliament in the coming weeks. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
09-06-2025
- Scoop
Turning The Tide: New Zealanders Unite To Curb Harmful Drinking
Press Release – Alcohol Beverages Council Most of us agree that targeted education and support programmes create a better understanding of responsible drinking a fact borne out by the fact that 70% of the New Zealanders surveyed agreed that such programmes reduce alcohol-related harm, … 'New Zealanders strongly support confiscating cars from repeat drink drivers, targeted support programmes for harmful drinkers and alcohol education programmes in schools', said NZABC Executive Director Virginia Nicholls. For the past six years the NZ Alcohol Beverages Council (NZABC) has independently surveyed 1000 Kiwis [i] and found the support for the following (net harm) reduction measures continue to have significant support: Confiscating cars from repeat drink drivers +79% (2019: 80%) Targeted support programmes for harmful drinkers +78% (2019: same) Alcohol education programmes in schools +70% (2019: 72%) Heavier fines for drunk and disorderly behaviour +59% (2019: 56%) Allow Police to issue spot fines for minor alcohol related offences +55% (2019: 36%) Use alcohol interlocks in cars to reduce drink driving +54% (2021: same) Alcohol education programmes in workplaces +44% (2022: 54%) Since 2014 the total number of New Zealanders convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs [ii] has declined by 27% from 20,972 to 15,365 (2024). Men factor in the stats considerably more than women with nearly four out of five convictions for drink driving and/or drugs are men [iii]. The recent NZ Road Safety Week showed the number of alcohol-related road deaths reduced by nearly 40% [iv] (from 2023 to 2024). Alcohol interlock court mandated orders have increased from 262 (2015) to 3,972 in 2024. [v]. From 2018, alcohol interlock orders became mandatory (with some exceptions) for repeat offences and first offences with very high breath or blood alcohol readings. 'Most of us agree that targeted education and support programmes create a better understanding of responsible drinking – a fact borne out by the fact that 70% of the New Zealanders surveyed agreed that such programmes reduce alcohol-related harm', said Virginia. Since 2019 the Tomorrow Project – a social change charity governed by Spirits NZ, NZ Winegrowers and the Brewers Association has funded the Life Education Trust to deliver 'Smashed' a theatre-in-education programme for high school students that provides practical information and advice to support better decision making. Independent research [vi] showed the programme was supporting positive changes to youth drinking culture. In NZ we are drinking less and drinking better with the move to moderation as part of a balanced lifestyle. The annual NZ Health survey [vii] provides information on New Zealander's health and wellbeing shows that 83.4% of NZ adults (five out of six of us) are drinking beer, wine and spirits responsibly. This is an increase of 4.7 percentage points over the past four years (78.7% 2019/20). Hazardous drinking [viii] or harmful alcohol consumption among adults over the past four years has declined to 16.6% (21.3% 2019/20). The Stats NZ alcohol consumption per capita has also declined by 28.3% since 1986 [ix]. [i] Curia market research October 2024, 1000 adult respondents [ii] Driving under the influence: The number of finalised charges and number of people with finalised charges and convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Also includes number of people with orders for alcohol interlock devices. In 2014 there were 20,972 convicted. NZ total driving under the influence 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Convicted 16,290 16,000 16,207 16,621 16,245 13,571 13,920 15,078 15,682 15,365 alcohol interlock orders 262 345 331 1,700 3,582 3,089 3,538 3,764 3,864 3,972 Alcohol interlock orders became a sentencing option in September 2012. From July 2018 alcohol interlock orders became mandatory (with some exceptions) for repeat offences and first offences with very high breath or blood alcohol readings under section 65A of the Land Transport Act 1998. Section 65A of the Land Transport Act Ministry of Justice (NZ): driving under the influence: Data tables | New Zealand Ministry of Justice, accessed 6 May 2025 [iii] In 2024 78% of men and 22% of women were convicted of driving under the influence offences in NZ (driving under influence of alcohol and/or drug). People convicted of driving under the influence offences in New Zealand – accessed 3 June 2025 [iv] Hon Chris Bishop and Hon Mark Mitchell 2024 compared with year before: Roadside breath testing up; alcohol-related road deaths down | , accessed 3 June 25 [v] See (ii) [vi] Smashed 'showed us ways to deal with peer pressure,' NZCER, September 2022 [vii] New Zealand Health Survey | Ministry of Health NZ, accessed 19 November 2024 [viii] Hazardous drinking among the total population. Hazardous drinking refers to a score of 8 or more on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), which suggests hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption. [ix] Stats NZ: Total NZ population 15 years and over alcohol available for consumption (per head of population). Year end 1986 (10.730 litres), year end March 2025 (7.690 litres): View table – Infoshare – Statistics New Zealand accessed 26 May 2025.
Scoop
09-06-2025
- Scoop
Turning The Tide: New Zealanders Unite To Curb Harmful Drinking
Press Release – Alcohol Beverages Council Most of us agree that targeted education and support programmes create a better understanding of responsible drinking a fact borne out by the fact that 70% of the New Zealanders surveyed agreed that such programmes reduce alcohol-related harm, … 'New Zealanders strongly support confiscating cars from repeat drink drivers, targeted support programmes for harmful drinkers and alcohol education programmes in schools', said NZABC Executive Director Virginia Nicholls. For the past six years the NZ Alcohol Beverages Council (NZABC) has independently surveyed 1000 Kiwis [i] and found the support for the following (net harm) reduction measures continue to have significant support: Confiscating cars from repeat drink drivers +79% (2019: 80%) Targeted support programmes for harmful drinkers +78% (2019: same) Alcohol education programmes in schools +70% (2019: 72%) Heavier fines for drunk and disorderly behaviour +59% (2019: 56%) Allow Police to issue spot fines for minor alcohol related offences +55% (2019: 36%) Use alcohol interlocks in cars to reduce drink driving +54% (2021: same) Alcohol education programmes in workplaces +44% (2022: 54%) Since 2014 the total number of New Zealanders convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs [ii] has declined by 27% from 20,972 to 15,365 (2024). Men factor in the stats considerably more than women with nearly four out of five convictions for drink driving and/or drugs are men [iii]. The recent NZ Road Safety Week showed the number of alcohol-related road deaths reduced by nearly 40% [iv] (from 2023 to 2024). Alcohol interlock court mandated orders have increased from 262 (2015) to 3,972 in 2024. [v]. From 2018, alcohol interlock orders became mandatory (with some exceptions) for repeat offences and first offences with very high breath or blood alcohol readings. 'Most of us agree that targeted education and support programmes create a better understanding of responsible drinking – a fact borne out by the fact that 70% of the New Zealanders surveyed agreed that such programmes reduce alcohol-related harm', said Virginia. Since 2019 the Tomorrow Project – a social change charity governed by Spirits NZ, NZ Winegrowers and the Brewers Association has funded the Life Education Trust to deliver 'Smashed' a theatre-in-education programme for high school students that provides practical information and advice to support better decision making. Independent research [vi] showed the programme was supporting positive changes to youth drinking culture. In NZ we are drinking less and drinking better with the move to moderation as part of a balanced lifestyle. The annual NZ Health survey [vii] provides information on New Zealander's health and wellbeing shows that 83.4% of NZ adults (five out of six of us) are drinking beer, wine and spirits responsibly. This is an increase of 4.7 percentage points over the past four years (78.7% 2019/20). Hazardous drinking [viii] or harmful alcohol consumption among adults over the past four years has declined to 16.6% (21.3% 2019/20). The Stats NZ alcohol consumption per capita has also declined by 28.3% since 1986 [ix]. [i] Curia market research October 2024, 1000 adult respondents [ii] Driving under the influence: The number of finalised charges and number of people with finalised charges and convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Also includes number of people with orders for alcohol interlock devices. In 2014 there were 20,972 convicted. NZ total driving under the influence 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Convicted 16,290 16,000 16,207 16,621 16,245 13,571 13,920 15,078 15,682 15,365 alcohol interlock orders 262 345 331 1,700 3,582 3,089 3,538 3,764 3,864 3,972 Alcohol interlock orders became a sentencing option in September 2012. From July 2018 alcohol interlock orders became mandatory (with some exceptions) for repeat offences and first offences with very high breath or blood alcohol readings under section 65A of the Land Transport Act 1998. Section 65A of the Land Transport Act Ministry of Justice (NZ): driving under the influence: Data tables | New Zealand Ministry of Justice, accessed 6 May 2025 [iii] In 2024 78% of men and 22% of women were convicted of driving under the influence offences in NZ (driving under influence of alcohol and/or drug). People convicted of driving under the influence offences in New Zealand – accessed 3 June 2025 [iv] Hon Chris Bishop and Hon Mark Mitchell 2024 compared with year before: Roadside breath testing up; alcohol-related road deaths down | , accessed 3 June 25 [v] See (ii) [vi] Smashed 'showed us ways to deal with peer pressure,' NZCER, September 2022 [vii] New Zealand Health Survey | Ministry of Health NZ, accessed 19 November 2024 [viii] Hazardous drinking among the total population. Hazardous drinking refers to a score of 8 or more on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), which suggests hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption. [ix] Stats NZ: Total NZ population 15 years and over alcohol available for consumption (per head of population). Year end 1986 (10.730 litres), year end March 2025 (7.690 litres): View table – Infoshare – Statistics New Zealand accessed 26 May 2025.
Scoop
09-06-2025
- Scoop
Turning The Tide: New Zealanders Unite To Curb Harmful Drinking
'New Zealanders strongly support confiscating cars from repeat drink drivers, targeted support programmes for harmful drinkers and alcohol education programmes in schools', said NZABC Executive Director Virginia Nicholls. For the past six years the NZ Alcohol Beverages Council (NZABC) has independently surveyed 1000 Kiwis[i] and found the support for the following (net harm) reduction measures continue to have significant support: Confiscating cars from repeat drink drivers +79% (2019: 80%) Targeted support programmes for harmful drinkers +78% (2019: same) Alcohol education programmes in schools +70% (2019: 72%) Heavier fines for drunk and disorderly behaviour +59% (2019: 56%) Allow Police to issue spot fines for minor alcohol related offences +55% (2019: 36%) Use alcohol interlocks in cars to reduce drink driving +54% (2021: same) Alcohol education programmes in workplaces +44% (2022: 54%) Since 2014 the total number of New Zealanders convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs[ii] has declined by 27% from 20,972 to 15,365 (2024). Men factor in the stats considerably more than women with nearly four out of five convictions for drink driving and/or drugs are men[iii]. The recent NZ Road Safety Week showed the number of alcohol-related road deaths reduced by nearly 40%[iv] (from 2023 to 2024). Alcohol interlock court mandated orders have increased from 262 (2015) to 3,972 in 2024.[v]. From 2018, alcohol interlock orders became mandatory (with some exceptions) for repeat offences and first offences with very high breath or blood alcohol readings. 'Most of us agree that targeted education and support programmes create a better understanding of responsible drinking – a fact borne out by the fact that 70% of the New Zealanders surveyed agreed that such programmes reduce alcohol-related harm', said Virginia. Since 2019 the Tomorrow Project – a social change charity governed by Spirits NZ, NZ Winegrowers and the Brewers Association has funded the Life Education Trust to deliver 'Smashed' a theatre-in-education programme for high school students that provides practical information and advice to support better decision making. Independent research[vi] showed the programme was supporting positive changes to youth drinking culture. In NZ we are drinking less and drinking better with the move to moderation as part of a balanced lifestyle. The annual NZ Health survey[vii] provides information on New Zealander's health and wellbeing shows that 83.4% of NZ adults (five out of six of us) are drinking beer, wine and spirits responsibly. This is an increase of 4.7 percentage points over the past four years (78.7% 2019/20). Hazardous drinking[viii] or harmful alcohol consumption among adults over the past four years has declined to 16.6% (21.3% 2019/20). The Stats NZ alcohol consumption per capita has also declined by 28.3% since 1986[ix]. [i] Curia market research October 2024, 1000 adult respondents [ii] Driving under the influence: The number of finalised charges and number of people with finalised charges and convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Also includes number of people with orders for alcohol interlock devices. In 2014 there were 20,972 convicted. NZ total driving under the influence 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Convicted 16,290 16,000 16,207 16,621 16,245 13,571 13,920 15,078 15,682 15,365 alcohol interlock orders 262 345 331 1,700 3,582 3,089 3,538 3,764 3,864 3,972 Alcohol interlock orders became a sentencing option in September 2012. From July 2018 alcohol interlock orders became mandatory (with some exceptions) for repeat offences and first offences with very high breath or blood alcohol readings under section 65A of the Land Transport Act 1998. Section 65A of the Land Transport Act Ministry of Justice (NZ): driving under the influence: Data tables | New Zealand Ministry of Justice, accessed 6 May 2025 [iii] In 2024 78% of men and 22% of women were convicted of driving under the influence offences in NZ (driving under influence of alcohol and/or drug). People convicted of driving under the influence offences in New Zealand - accessed 3 June 2025 [iv] Hon Chris Bishop and Hon Mark Mitchell 2024 compared with year before: Roadside breath testing up; alcohol-related road deaths down | , accessed 3 June 25 [v] See (ii) [vi] Smashed 'showed us ways to deal with peer pressure,' NZCER, September 2022 [vii] New Zealand Health Survey | Ministry of Health NZ, accessed 19 November 2024 [viii] Hazardous drinking among the total population. Hazardous drinking refers to a score of 8 or more on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), which suggests hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption. [ix] Stats NZ: Total NZ population 15 years and over alcohol available for consumption (per head of population). Year end 1986 (10.730 litres), year end March 2025 (7.690 litres): View table - Infoshare - Statistics New Zealand accessed 26 May 2025.
